Another Code: Recollection

Overall, Another Code: Recollection comes recommended to those who love dialogue-heavy games. It’s a relaxing experience, with some head-scratching puzzles thrown in, made all the easier with the brilliant addition of the Compass and Hint functions.

As adventure games go, Another Code: Recollection is a good one even if I don’t think it quite reaches the level of great. Fans of the originals will likely be thrilled with this, as I don’t think anyone expected any of CING’s works to get this kind of treatment. Newcomers looking for a decent adventure game will find one here, complete with some clever puzzles that occasionally get a bit too clever. It didn’t change my mind on Another Code, but I don’t think it was really supposed to do that anyway.

Another Code: Recollection is an absorbing experience from start to finish, one that will keep mystery fans comfortably engaged thanks to it's relaxed atmosphere and enjoyable cast. Lacks a little special something, but it's got a lot of heart.

Another Code: Recollection is a chill, breezy adventure that’s light on challenge but heavy on charm. It’s one of the most ambitious remakes Nintendo has published in quite some time, and I’m thrilled Arc System Works lovingly modernized this pair of extremely niche puzzle adventures. While predictable mysteries, frustrating storytelling, and mediocre puzzle design hold it back from greatness, Recollection is redeemed by a completely overhauled presentation and excellent atmosphere. The entire journey is also tied together by its instantly-lovable lead, as Ashley’s personal quest to recover her lost memories is one I won’t soon forget.

The word that really sticks in my mind when describing Another Code Recollection is "pleasant." I never felt particularly annoyed at any point while I was playing, but I never felt a particularly strong sense of engagement, either. I just happily rode along with Ashley on her journey of self-discovery and mystery-solving until we both reached the end. I doubt I'll remember much about the game a couple of years from now, but it was a sweet little escape on a cold winter week. And sometimes, that's all a game really needs to be.

If you have fond memories of Another Code, there is definitely value in re-experiencing the original and its sequel. Unfortunately, it feels like a missed opportunity to have made this classic, lesser-known series shine.

As a remake operation, that of Another Code: Recollection is perfectly successful, especially for the new visuals of Two Memories, while as graphic adventures the two games suffer a bit from the weight of years.

A game that sometimes leaves you perplexed by some bizarre decisions, but is developed with so much love that you can hardly be mad at it.

A fantastic work of renovation of two games that have almost 20 years behind them to turn them into an adventure that could have been released in 2024: the three-dimensional reconstruction of the scenarios, the detail of the environments, the new design of the characters and the re-recording sound transform it into a current game.

The work that has gone into bringing Another Code: Two Memories and its sequel to Switch is impressive, giving us a pair of enthralling adventures to follow. The DAS is an excellent little gadget, and the characters and overall story are excellently written and charming, but the short length of this collection and lack of activities outside the investigating result in a somewhat one-note affair. Another Code: Recollection is a decent little package, but you might be left wanting if you have played the original releases.

Another Code: Recollection is a solid repackage of two classic adventure titles that manages to celebrate the Cing games despite some lacklustre puzzles and clumsy camera controls.

Another Code: Recollection is a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch library. The puzzles can get frustrating at times, and the gameplay won't be for everyone; I highly recommend those on the fence check out the game's free demo. Despite these flaws, the story and characters make it a worthwhile purchase for fans of the genre. It's great to see Nintendo giving such an unusual pair of games this type of treatment, rather than leaving them abandoned on their original hardware.

Another Code: Recollection is an acceptable game in its own right, if an unexciting one for the majority of its playtime. However, it serves as an excellent case study for the video game remake phenomenon at large and the purpose it serves, reminding the industry of the importance of memory.

Despite my apathy, I still admire the earnestness on display here. Another Code: Recollection exists because someone really cares for the original titles, and it shows. The two games that make up the collection were niche to begin with, so it takes a certain passion to completely overhaul them to make them presentable to a new audience. This passion shines through the production. So, while Another Code: Recollection didn’t really do much for me, I hope that it finds an audience, whether it’s newcomers to the series or fans of the old.

While not the most challenging puzzle game, ANOTHER Code: Recollection is an engaging enough experience for anyone interested in this unique Nintendo time capsule.

Another Code: Recollection left me with a lasting impression that's sure to keep my memory of the lost series alive.

Another Code: Recollection's biggest addition to the original DS and Wii experiences, besides the slick new graphics and fully explorable 3D environs, is its all-new navigation and puzzle aids. With the obtuse nature of some puzzles now a triviality — should you find yourself stumped — there's now no difficulty spikes or annoying moments to hold you back from a two-part tale that's very much worth diving into for fans of slow-burn point-and-click titles. Their pacing could have done with some more work, but this collection is as good a return to Ashley's world as fans could have hoped for.

Between the middling voice acting undermining the story, the barely-there puzzles, and the sterility of the visuals, it feels like the magic of adventure games on Nintendo’s older, gimmicky hardware hasn’t been recaptured. But I still had a great time taking it all in. Weird, huh? That’s what being a history nerd feels like.

Another Code: Recollection is laidback storytelling with likeable characters, the odd puzzle, and a little sci-fi sprinkled in for good measure. I'm glad that I got to play through these lesser-known adventure games all of these years after their initial release although they certainly don't do much to stand out from the crowd.

Another Code: Recollection collects the original Another Code with its sequel Another Code: R which never saw a North American release. While the original DS title was an absolute classic with clever puzzles that require unique usage of the DS's features, the simplified and dumbed-down Switch rerelease turns the puzzle game into a basic visual novel. While the first game's story is unique, the sequel is painfully slow to get through. Despite my love for the original, this is a very hard game to recommend, especially given its $60 price point.

Another Code: Recollection has the two classic games in a more modern and simple version adapted to the Nintendo Switch. The first half is the most interesting one, while the other half has some issues and is very predictable, plus the controls are not very precise. It has good clever puzzles and its plot of revelations is sometimes interesting.

Another Code: Recollection is a remake of the two episodes of the saga released on Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii. The progression of the two adventures has been slimmed down compared to the originals and the puzzles have been recreated from scratch, losing much of their originality. Ashley's adventures are entertaining, but the time and the flattening of the gameplay mortify the experience.

Another Code: Recollection breathes new life into a dormant series by creating a cohesive narrative in a remake with updated visuals. While some great effort has gone into modernising the games from a presentation standpoint, some of the creative liberties taken and frustrating motion-controlled puzzles will no doubt leave fans longing for a more faithful recreation.

As it stands, I would only recommend this purchase to fans of the originals for pure nostalgia and fan service, and even then with some caveat. If you're looking for more intricate and engaging anime stories of the mind, you have a great alternative in both AI: The Somnium Files on the same console. That said, now I can't help but wish that CiNG's own Kyle Hyde noir saga (Hotel Dusk and Last Window) would also get the HD treatment on Switch, just with a little more love and polish.

Two cult classics remade with huge care for the modern age. These are unique experiences with charisma, mas visually weak and the gameplay of these hybrids between puzzle game and visual novel deserved more refinement.

For better and worse, they conjure fond reminiscences of the originals and the developer that made them. [Issue#394, p.102]

As things are, I'd only recommend this to lovers of the originals for nostalgia and fan service alone, and with a couple of caveats at that. If you're looking for way more intricate and engaging anime stories dealing with the mind, you have a great alternative in the two AI: The Somnium Files games on the same platform. That being said, I now can't help but wanting CiNG's own Kyle Hyde saga (Hotel Dusk and Last Window) to get the Switch HD treatment, just with a bit more care and polish.

Another Code: Recollection does a good job at bringing the duology to the Switch, and there is an excellent level of consistency in the quality of the two titles, with the updated visuals and gameplay providing a cohesive experience. The additional voice acting breathes new life into the story which, although it may be too slowly paced for some, is nonetheless emotional and heartfelt. However, the decision to combine both games into a single narrative experience seems counterproductive when there is a clear transition between them, and the quality of life changes made don’t quite do enough to disguise the ageing gameplay mechanics. These weaker elements, such as the awkward camera angles and mandatory motion controls, often offset the enjoyment to be gained from the narrative, making this an experience that won’t appeal to everyone. Another Code: Recollection is an experience players will definitely remember, but this may not always be for the right reasons.

Remaking an older series that never got much limelight is always a good thing, and Another Code: Recollection has gone above and beyond updating its look and feel for the modern day. The problem is that those updates have removed everything that made the original games unique, and have re-invented the story in a way that is not to its benefit. It might still be a nice time if you're in the mood for something simple and slow-paced, but it's certainly no replacement for the originals.